There is a certain sliver of truth to that joke. The Roman Republic had huge economic, demographic and strategic advantages through its entire history, but often mistakes and improper utilization of these resources created massive problems for the republic. Time and time again it seems like they dig themselves out of the hole through pure stubbornness. After Cannae they passed laws chastising the public for grieving the complete destruction of multiple armies. Fabian was willing to save the republic from its own stupidity with an endless patience despite the consular elections being run mostly on the platform that Fabian was a huge coward. He fucking led an army to save the Consul who won said election against Fabian after his arrogance almost immediately destroyed another Roman army. It’s an old cliche that the republic died because people lost their faith in the republic, but maybe it only lived for so long because it was able to inspire entire generations of legislators, civil servants and generals willing to fight for it.
It’s an old cliche that the republic died because people lost their faith in the republic, but maybe it only lived for so long because it was able to inspire entire generations of legislators, civil servants and generals willing to fight for it.
Civic pride is a hell of a drug. People are willing to endure, and undertake, horrific things as long as their associate their own identity with the polity, and the polity responds in a way that they feel honored to continue to do so.
Really, the Roman Republic only won its wars because it was too stupid to realize when it lost.
There is a certain sliver of truth to that joke. The Roman Republic had huge economic, demographic and strategic advantages through its entire history, but often mistakes and improper utilization of these resources created massive problems for the republic. Time and time again it seems like they dig themselves out of the hole through pure stubbornness. After Cannae they passed laws chastising the public for grieving the complete destruction of multiple armies. Fabian was willing to save the republic from its own stupidity with an endless patience despite the consular elections being run mostly on the platform that Fabian was a huge coward. He fucking led an army to save the Consul who won said election against Fabian after his arrogance almost immediately destroyed another Roman army. It’s an old cliche that the republic died because people lost their faith in the republic, but maybe it only lived for so long because it was able to inspire entire generations of legislators, civil servants and generals willing to fight for it.
Civic pride is a hell of a drug. People are willing to endure, and undertake, horrific things as long as their associate their own identity with the polity, and the polity responds in a way that they feel honored to continue to do so.